Consider yourself fit? The Spartan World Championship is back for 2021, and it’s taking place outside of the US for the first time ever. And the exciting news? It’s coming to Abu Dhabi. It’s time to start getting a training programme together as the race is back over the dunes, and it’s going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event will take place in the Liwa Desert, so expect stunning vistas and sweeping dunes.
It’s all taking place on December 3 to 5, so you’ve plenty of time to get that fitness up.
The Spartan World Championship will also feature festivities including local cuisine, dune buggy rides and cultural demonstrations, as well as fireworks, yoga classes and a parade.
On the Friday (December 3) there’s will be the Spartan Kids’ World Championship, which has races for all ages and a post-race celebration.
The Elite Spartan Beast Championship will take place on Friday night, and will be for qualified elite racers, who will take to the dunes and do a half-marathon over the dunes. It will feature high-speed running, steep climbs and stunning desert views. Prize money for the elite race is US$20,000 (around Dhs73,500) to the winner, with cash prizes all the way down to tenth (US$1,200).
On Saturday there will be age group and open Spartan Beast heats as well as open heat Spartan kids’ races over various distances. It will end with a Teams World Championship.
The last Spartan World Championship took place in 2019 in North Lake Tahoe, but the 2020 edition was postponed.
Fancy a challenge for 2021? This has your name all over it.
Dec 3-5. Liwa Desert, www.race.spartan.com.
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